Revamp Italian Night: 3 Healthy Pasta Noodle Options

There are so many healthy pasta-bilities.

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Super-Healthy Pasta Noodles

 Photo Credit: Shutterstock

Pasta is a favourite go-to dish for so many reasons.  First of all, it’s absolutely delicious. Secondly, it’s super easy to make – who doesn’t want dinner ready in 30 minutes? As much as we all love our classic pasta recipes, these three delicious pasta noodles are a healthier, tastier alternative to the white noodles you’ve grown up with.

Looking for more reasons to eat pasta more regularly? A recent study published in Nutrition & Diabetes links pasta consumption with a lower BMI and reduced obesity. Researchers believe this is due to pasta’s traditional presence in the Mediterranean diet, which is known to be slimming. To reap the benefits, stick to a healthy serving size (just 1/2 to 2/3 cup cooked pasta at lunch or dinner) and fill the rest of your plate with veggies and lean meats, fish or beans.

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Rice Noodles

Also called rice noodle stick, these semi-transparent and gluten-free noodles are made with rice flour and water. They can be found in slender, vermicelli-style nests and also in a wide, straight-cut format. Most commonly used in pad Thai dishes, they’re also ideal in stir-fries and soups.

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photo credit: shutterstock

Whole Wheat Noodles

Whole wheat pasta means that all three parts of the wheat grain – the bran, germ and endosperm – have been retained. Whether made from strong durum wheat or another variety, this translates to more nutritional benefits than refined white pasta, including a boost in B-vitamins, antioxidants and fibre.

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Spiralized noodles

With one inexpensive and handy little gadget (a spiralizer) and a few different vegetables, you can have a low-carb, gluten-free substitute for the usual pasta but with the same great fork-twirling texture. Top veggie-spiralizing picks include zucchini, carrot and sweet potato. These three options are super easy to turn into long, corkscrew-like creations. Simply steam, sauté or toss ’em in a simmering sauce until tender.

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